Media cartridge storage device for an autoloading data storage and retrieval system

ABSTRACT

A cartridge storage device for a data storage and retrieval system according to one embodiment comprises a housing having a front and a back positioned on opposite ends of the housing; a plurality of cells in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge; and a drive mechanism for selectively driving the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing, the front opening allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/030,848 filed Jan. 6, 2005, which is herein incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to media cartridge storage devices, andmore particularly, this invention relates to a modular multi-cartridgestorage device and related methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Data storage drives, such as data tape drives, record information to andread information from media, such as the data tape of a tape cartridge.Data storage drives are often used in conjunction with, for example, adata storage and retrieval system. One example of such a system is anautomated data storage library with robotic picking devices, whereinremovable media cartridges are selectively transported between storagecells and data storage drives in an automated environment. Herein,automated data storage library, data storage library, tape librarysystem, data storage and retrieval system, and library may all be usedinterchangeably.

Once requested, data that is stored on data storage media of anautomated data storage library typically is needed quickly. Thus, it isdesirable that an automated data storage library be maintained in anoperational condition on a continuous basis as much as possible. As aresult, user expectations have moved toward a concept of continuousavailability, such as the well known “24×7×365” availability.

In automated storage libraries, one of the most important concerns isthe amount of storage a library can provide for a given amount ofphysical space, or library footprint. A challenge in the design ofstorage libraries is to maximize storage density while maintainingflexibility and scalability. Many automated libraries today have framesin which there are two types of slots: storage slots for data cartridgesand drive slots for tape drives. Very often it is found that users donot populate all of the drive slots available. Rather, these unuseddrive slots openings are covered up with a panel (called a filler panel)and more storage slots are placed on the panel to increase storagecapacity. However, when this happens all of the other space behind thepanel where a drive could be located becomes unused and empty.Additionally, it is currently not possible to store tape cartridges inthe unused drive slots, thus the unused drive slot is wasted space.

I/O stations in automated tape libraries are used to input tapecartridges by the library operator to a location where the pickermechanism of the library can grab the cartridge. There are limitationswith the way that I/O stations are currently used today: I/O stationshave a defined location in a frame, e.g., in one tape library, the I/Ostations are only allowed in a specific frame at one end of the library.Also, these I/O stations consume a large amount of storage space withinthe library, e.g., in one library, addition of 30 I/O slots causes thelibrary to lose 80 storage slots. An additional drawback is that theseI/O stations are not easily serviceable. Also the scalability of I/Ostations is limited.

In the art, data storage magazines are provided for adding or removingmore than one cartridge at a time. Magazines may also be used to add orremove storage capacity. Magazines require that the library door beopened in order to add or remove the magazine. This is a disruptiveactivity as the automated data storage library must be paused or stoppedduring the addition or removal of the magazines. There is a need toprovide a system and method for adding or removing storage withoutdisrupting the automated data storage library.

In addition, data storage drives are added to or removed from a datastorage library as needed. Some libraries offer additional storage cellswhere drives may otherwise exist. A conversion is required to removethis additional storage whenever a drive is required to takes its place.Conversely, a conversion is also required if a drive is removed andreplaced with the additional storage. The conversion requires that thelibrary door be opened and this disrupts normal library operation. Inaddition, tools are required to perform these conversions and thisprocess usually requires a trained service technician. There is a needto provide a portable and flexible storage cell conversion in anautomated data storage library.

One attempt at increasing storage space in a tape library is presentedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,758 to Patterson et al. The proposed solution isa tape cartridge transport magazine that is insertable in a libraryalongside a tape drive. The tapes are retrieved through slots in thesidewall. However, there are several drawbacks to this system. Onedrawback is that the magazine must be positioned alongside the drive,and so the magazine is not truly modular. Further, the side placementmeans that the maximum number of magazines that a single drive canservice is two.

Another drawback is that tapes are loaded/unloaded from the side, so themagazine must be physically removed from the library to load it. Or theuser must insert individual tape cartridges one-by-one into the libraryand have the picker load them into the magazine sequentially. This makesthe picker unavailable for other applications during that time. Afurther drawback is that users cannot see which tapes are in themagazine without physically removing the magazine from the library andthen physically removing the tapes.

What is therefore needed is a new apparatus for maximizing tapecartridge storage capacity in a storage library.

What is also needed is an apparatus that utilizes what would otherwisebe wasted storage space in storage slots.

What is further needed is an apparatus for input/output of cartridgesthat is truly modular and that can be positioned at any location in thelibrary without shutting down the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cartridge storage device for a data storage and retrieval systemaccording to one embodiment comprises a housing having a front and aback positioned on opposite ends of the housing; a plurality of cells inthe housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge; and adrive mechanism for selectively driving the cells towards a frontopening in the front of the housing, the front opening allowinginsertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells.

A method of providing a media cartridge to a data storage and retrievalsystem according to one embodiment comprises inserting at least onemedia cartridge into a first opening of a cartridge storage device,wherein access to said first opening is provided by an opening in thedata storage and retrieval system; removing said at least one mediacartridge from said cartridge storage device from a second openingthereof, wherein said second opening is on an opposite side of thecartridge storage device than the first opening; and inserting said atleast one media cartridge into a tape drive of said data storage andretrieval system.

A data storage and retrieval system according to one embodimentcomprises a plurality of slots adapted for receiving system components;at least one drive for reading data from a media cartridge; at least onecartridge storage device capable of storing several of the cartridges,the at least one cartridge storage device having a front side, a backand sidewalls extending between the front side and the back, the atleast one cartridge storage device being positioned in the slot frontside first, wherein each slot in which a cartridge storage device ispositioned has an opening for allowing access to the front of thecartridge storage device while inserted in the slot; and a picker forretrieving and inserting cartridges from the at least one cartridgestorage device and transporting the cartridges between the at least onedrive and the at least one media storage device.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken inconjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should bemade lo the following detailed description read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a data storage andretrieval system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a tape drive utilized by the data storageand retrieval system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a removable tape cartridge used inconjunction with the tape drive of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a storage module utilized by the datastorage and retrieval system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an alternate storage module utilized bythe data storage and retrieval system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternate removable tape cartridgeusable in conjunction with a tape drive.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of another alternate removable tapecartridge usable in conjunction with a tape drive.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an alternate configuration of the storagemodule of FIG. 4 with a front door open and a rear door closed.

FIG. 8A is an isometric view of the storage module of FIG. 8 with morecartridge storage devices than drive canisters.

FIG. 9 is a reverse isometric view of the storage module of FIG. 8 withthe front door closed and the rear door open.

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of a drive canister.

FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view of the drive canister of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a cartridge storage device and a drivecanister.

FIG. 13 is another isometric view of the cartridge storage device ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the inner mechanism of the cartridgestorage device of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a partial isometric side view of the inner mechanism of thecartridge storage device of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is the best embodiment presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention. This description is made for thepurpose of illustrating the general principles of the present inventionand is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, a data storage and retrieval system 100 is shown.In the embodiment illustrated, data storage and retrieval system 100 isdepicted as a robotic library. The upper interface of controller 160allows data storage and retrieval system 100 to communicate with one ormore hosts 390 via link 350. Link 350 may comprise an Ethernet,Infiniband, TCP/IP, Fibre Channel-Arbitrated Loop, SCSI, ESCON, FICON,or the like, depending on the application. The lower interface ofcontroller 160 communicates with a plurality of drives that arepositioned in drive enclosures 130 and 140. Drive enclosures 130 and 140receive removable media cartridges 103 (e.g., see cartridges in FIGS. 3,6, and 7), via robotic pickers I 10 and 120. The removable mediacartridges 103 may include or contain magnetic tape, optical tape,optical disk media, magneto-optical disk, CD, DVD, phase-change media,floppy disk, removable hard disk, electronic media, and the like.Robotic pickers 110 and 120 travel along rail 170 to move removablemedia cartridges 103 from inner storage wall 102 and outer storage wall104 to drive enclosures 130 and 140 for the purposes of reading and/orwriting data. Robotic pickers 110 and 120 also return the removablemedia cartridges 103 to storage walls 102 and 104.

An import/export station 172 includes access door 174 attached to theside of data storage and retrieval system 100. Access door 174 ispreferably pivotally attached to the side of data storage and retrievalsystem 100; however, access door 174 could be slidably or otherwiseattached. An operator panel or access station 150 permits a user tocommunicate directly with data storage and retrieval system 100. Theoperator access station 150 typically contains an LCD display, akeyboard or touch screen for user input, and circuits to monitor andcontrol the I/O station doors.

First power component 180 and second power component 190 each compriseone or more power supplies that supply power to pickers 110 and 120,controller 160, operator access station 150, and drive enclosures 130and 140 of data storage and retrieval system 100. Typically, at leastone of the power components 180 and 190 provides direct current (DC)power, since most computer peripheral devices use DC power. One of thepower components 180 and 190 may provide alternating current (AC) poweras well. Controller 160 is in communication with power components 180and 190, pickers 110 and 120, operator access station 150, driveenclosures 130 and 140, and data storage drives (see FIGS. 2, 10, 11) ofdata storage and retrieval system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a typical reel-to-reel tape drive 200 is shown.As described above, any removable media data storage drive may be used,such as tape drives, optical and magnetic disk drives, electronic mediadrives, or any other drives and media as is known to those skilled inthe art. A plurality of drives 200 are usually located inside of thelibrary 100 of FIG. 1. Tape drive 200 may be any one of, for example, afamily of tape drives using a single-reel tape cartridge, such as theIBM 3480, IBM 3490, IBM 3590, Digital Linear Tape (DLT), and Linear TapeOpen (LTO) tape drives. Cartridge loader 202 receives a single-reel tapecartridge 301 (see FIG. 3) and threader 204 threads the leader-block 303of the tape 305 around the tape guides 206 and 208, and around the tapetension transducer 212, and into the take-up reel 214. Tape guides 206and 208 support the tape as the tape moves over the magnetic tape head210. All of these components are supported by base plate 220. One ormore tape drives 200 are located inside drive enclosures 130, 140(FIG. 1) in order to protect the tape drives 200 from dust and debris,as well as extraneous air currents that could disturb the way themagnetic tape 305 passes over the magnetic head 210.

The data storage and retrieval system 100 of FIG. 1 is typicallyassembled from a series of frames or storage modules 101, such as theL-frame type storage module illustrated in FIG. 4. A storage module isan expansion component of the library. Frames, accessors, magazines,etc. may comprise examples of storage modules. The storage module maycomprise one or more of the following: one or more storage shelves forholding data storage media, one or more data storage drives for readingand/or writing data on the data storage media, one or more import/exportstations for operator access to the data storage media, one or moreaccessors for moving the data storage media to/from data storage drivesand storage shelves, one or more frames or compartments for holdingadditional storage modules or library components. In the example of FIG.1, the desired number of storage modules 101 are assembled into datastorage and retrieval system 100. Storage module 101 comprises a picker120, a drive enclosure 130, an inner storage wall 102, and an outerstorage wall 104. A plurality of removable storage media 103 are locatedin each storage wall 102, 104. In this example, removable storage media103 comprises tape cartridges, but may also comprise other types ofmedia such as those described above.

Removable storage media 103 are inserted via robotic pickers 110, 120into drive enclosures 130, 140 via entrances 131, 141 (FIG. 1),respectively, where removable storage media 103 are mounted inside thedata storage drive, such as tape drive 200 (FIG. 2) or data storagedrive canister 1300 (FIGS. 8, 10 and 11). Each picker 110, 120 includesa gripper assembly having a bar code scanner for reading cartridgelabels, or other means for identifying the cartridges. As best shown inFIG. 8, a gripper assembly 901 may contain, for example, a plurality ofgrippers 903. The grippers 903 are mounted in a cage that can pivot fromone side of the library to the other. This allows access to both storagewalls 905, 907 by either gripper.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic diagram of an optional frame orstorage module known as a Linear Tape Open (LTO) D-frame 501 is shown.LTO D-frame 501 provides additional storage and may provide additionaldrives as well. The description is similar to that for storage module101, except that there may be zero to twelve tape drives for LTO tapecartridges 701 (FIG. 6). FIG. 7 shows another alternate removable tapecartridge 801 usable in conjunction with a tape drive. If no drives areinstalled, then no MCC and supporting circuits/ports will be installed.

To increase the storage capacity of data storage and retrieval system100, one or more cartridge storage devices fill the space that wouldotherwise be occupied by an existing drive canister(s) such that thecartridge storage devices can be hot plugged into an existing librarydrive canister slot. As used herein, a cartridge storage device is adevice capable of holding several media cartridges (defined above) fortransportation, storage, and use in conjunction with a data storage andretrieval system 100. The cartridge storage device is capable of storinga number of media cartridges, with each cartridge stored on a transportmechanism that feeds the cartridge to the front of the cartridge storagedevice for access by the library picker 110, 120.

FIG. 12 illustrates the relative sizes of a cartridge storage device 151and a drive canister 1300. Because the cartridge storage device 151 hasabout the same size as the drive canister 1300, the cartridge storagedevice 151 can be placed anywhere in a library string that a drive canbe placed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A, the cartridge storage devices 151 areadapted to be mounted within a standard drive slot or compartment 159 ina frame 161 of the multi-frame library of system 100. The cartridgestorage devices may be inserted into compartment slot 159 of frame 161through a rear door 166 (FIG. 9) of frame 161. The cartridge storagedevices 151 are securely mounted in compartment 159 with fasteners orlatches. Note that the cartridge storage device 151 may be located inany drive slot or storage slot of any frame in the data storage andretrieval system 100, including those slots adjacent to and those notadjacent to a drive.

For example, in the IBM 3584 library, this would allow for cartridgestorage devices 151 to be in the L frame and subsequently any D frame aswell. Seeing that customers have the ability to replace drives, theyhave access to the area of the system 100 where drives are located, thusthis area can be used for input/output of data tape cartridges. If thecartridge storage device 151 were to act as a replacement for theconventional I/O stations of today, additional storage slots can beadded to the library in this space. Also, since the cartridge storagedevice 151 is in canister form it can be “hot plugged” for easyinstallation or removal. In other words, the cartridge storage device151 can be inserted and removed without shutting the system 100 down.This is a distinct advantage over current I/O stations where the system100 must be brought down for I/O station addition, removal, orreplacement. Another advantage of the cartridge storage device 151 isthe scalability since the only limitation for the number of cartridgestorage devices 151 in a library string is the number of drive slots159. Thus several cartridge storage devices 151 could give customersbulk I/O capability that is modularly expandable and simultaneouslyoperable. For example, if using cartridge storage devices 151 in the IBM3584, each frame could have between 8 and 96 I/O slots. Thus, thecartridge storage devices 151 maximize the storage capacity to physicalspace ratio. And because the picker can transport the cartridges fromthe cartridge storage device 151 to any available drive, the storagecapacity to drive ratio is maximized as well.

FIG. 13 is another view of a cartridge storage device 151 according toone embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the cartridge storagedevice 151 includes a housing 1404 having a front 1406 and a back 1408.The cartridge storage device 151 is adapted for insertion into thelibrary front-first. The back 1408 of the cartridge storage device 151is exposed at the outside of the wall holding the slots (though can beenclosed within the library by a protective door, etc.). The housing1404 can include friction members 1421 for frictionally engaging theslot, or coupling members, thereby maintaining the cartridge storagedevice 151 in a relatively fixed position. The housing 1404 can alsoinclude stops (not shown) that limit the extent that the cartridgestorage device 151 can be inserted into the slot. Conversely, the slotscan include the friction members that engage the cartridge storagedevice 151.

Because the cartridge storage device 151 is easily removable, thecartridge storage device 151 is ideal for secure storage, e.g., can betaken off site, stored in a safe, etc. An additional benefit is thatdata can be loaded onto the cartridges 1416 on one device and the dataretrieved from them on a second device. This allows for such things asexchanging data between different libraries without requiring a datalink.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the inner workings of a cartridge storagedevice 151 according to a preferred embodiment. As shown, a plurality ofcells 1414 are positioned in the housing 1404, each cell 1414 adaptedfor receiving a tape cartridge 1416. This particular embodiment has acapacity of up to eight data cartridges 1416. However, one skilled inthe art will appreciate that more or less cells 1414 can be provided.

A drive mechanism 1418 drives the cells 1414 towards the front openingof the housing 1404. In the embodiments shown, the cartridges are drivenin a closed loop through the housing 1404. The cells 1414 are mounted ona track that allows the cells to rotate through the cartridge storagedevice 151 such that each cell 1414 and cartridge 1416 can be rotated tothe front of the cartridge storage device 151 where it can be picked bythe robot 110, 120. Empty cells can be rotated through the cartridgestorage device for cartridges to be placed into these cells at a latertime. The cartridge storage device 151 preferably includes a major track1415 and a minor track 1417 that keep the cells 1414 oriented in aboutthe same horizontal position throughout the closed loop. The drivemechanism 1418 shown includes a motor 1420 for driving a belt 1422extending around two pulleys 1424, the cells 1414 being rotatablycoupled to the belt. One skilled in the art will appreciate that thedrive mechanism can vary from that shown here. For instance, analternate embodiment has the motor positioned externally, the belt beingcoupled to a gear that operatively engages the external motor.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that other methods of driving thecells 1414 towards the front opening can be utilized. For instance, thecartridge storage device 151 can include a miniature version of a pickerthat selects and urges a cartridge towards the front opening. Anotherpotential drive mechanism would include a sliding cell arrangement,where the cells 1414 are horizontally aligned. When a particularcartridge is desired, the cell 1414 would slide out of alignment withthe other cells and towards the front opening. Thus, the invention isnot to be limited to a belt and motor configuration.

The cells 1414 can be trays upon which the cartridges 1416 rest, andpreferably have some type of frictional members (not shown) such asspring arms that hold the cartridges 1416 to the cells 1414 in arelatively fixed state so that they do not come loose duringtransportation of the cartridge storage device 151 or movement along theclosed loop.

The front 1406 of the housing 1404 has a front opening 1410 for allowinginsertion and retrieval of the cartridges 1416 from the cells 1414 bythe picker 110, 120 operating within the library. Accordingly, the slotsin which the cartridge storage devices 151 are positioned have an accessopening which allows access to the cartridge storage devices by thepicker.

To facilitate picking of the cartridges 1416 from the cartridge storagedevice 151, the configuration of the drive mechanism is preferably suchthat the cartridges 1416 sequentially protrude beyond the front openingwhen traveling along the closed loop. For instance, the front 1406 ofthe cartridge storage device 151 can contain a bezel through which thecartridges 1416 are picked and placed with a fiducial 1407 (FIG. 12) forcalibration of the cartridge storage device 151 within the system 100.

The back 1408 of the housing 1404 optionally has rear opening 1412 forallowing a user to sequentially insert and retrieve tape cartridges 1416from the cells 1414 while the cartridge storage device 151 is positionedin the library. The rear opening 1412 preferably has doors to keep dustand debris out of the cartridge storage device 151. By opening thedoors, the user can sequentially view the cartridges 1416 as the cellstravel along the closed loop and while the cartridge storage device 151is inserted in the slot 159. If the cartridges are labeled or have sometype of identifying indicia imprinted thereon (e.g., on the hinged doorof the cartridge), the user can view the contents of the cartridgestorage device 151 without the need to remove it from the slot.

The cartridge storage device 151 can also include a controller 1450 thatreceives instructions from the data storage and retrieval system 100 torotate the cartridges to a desired position, and if a reader is present,read, store, and transmit the information from the on-board memory (asdiscussed below). A connector 1452 (FIG. 13) allows the data storage andretrieval system 100 to communicate with the controller 1450 when thecartridge storage device 151 is docked.

Some cartridges 1416 have additional nonvolatile memory thereon, e.g.,RFID tags or equivalent, that allows the cartridge storage device 151and/or system 100 to read identification and other information abouteach individual cartridge using a cartridge storage device-mountedreader 1470 or other reader not coupled to the cartridge storage device.The system can read the memory of each cartridge upon docking thecartridge storage device 151. For instance, the system can include ashort-range RFID reader that reads each tape as it passes by thescanner. The RFID reader can be mounted on the picker arm, can bemounted on a non-picker arm, can be mounted in the cartridge storagedevice 151 itself, and/or can be positioned opposite the front of thecartridge storage device 151 (e.g., one reader per slot). Anotheralternative is to use an optical scanner, e.g., bar code reader thatreads optical codes (e.g., bar codes) from each cartridge as it passesthereby. The bar code reader can be mounted on the picker arm, can bemounted on a non-picker arm, can be mounted in the cartridge storagedevice 151 itself, and/or can be positioned opposite the front of thecartridge storage device 151 (e.g., one reader per slot). To query thecartridge storage device 151, the system orders the cartridge storagedevice 151 to complete one revolution, the RFID or barcode readerreading each cartridge as it passes thereby. The system then correlatesthe retrieved information with the position of the cartridge in thecartridge storage device 151, e.g., cartridge A is in cell A, cartridgeB is in cell B, etc. An advantage is that the system can determine thegeneral contents of the cartridge storage device 151 withoutsignificantly detracting from system resources (e.g., by tying up one ofthe drives).

An alternate embodiment has an electrical sensor on each cartridgereceiving cell that connect to the memory when a cartridge is present inthe cartridge storage device 151. One skilled in the art will understandthat a brush/rotational contact device can be used to connect thecontroller to the moving cells. The system can then query the cartridgestorage device 151 for its contents.

A display 1442 (FIG. 13) can be coupled to the back 1408 of the housing1404 to display identification and/or content information about thecartridges 1416 in the cartridge storage device 151. The display 1442can be connected to the controller 1450, which identifies the cartridges1416 as described above and sends cassette identification information tothe display 1442. Illustrative information that can be displayedincludes an identification number or name of a cartridge 1416, a summaryof the information stored on the cartridges 1416, etc. The informationdisplayed can be dependent upon the position of the cartridge 1416,e.g., the displayed information relates to the cartridge nearest theback 1408 of the housing 1404. Similarly, the information displayed canchange as the cartridges 1416 rotate through the housing 1404.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. A method of providing a media cartridge to a data storage andretrieval system, comprising: inserting at least one media cartridgeinto a first opening of a cartridge storage device, wherein access tosaid first opening is provided by an opening in the data storage andretrieval system, the first opening being accessible when the cartridgestorage device is fully inserted in the data storage and retrievalsystem; removing said at least one media cartridge from said cartridgestorage device from a second opening thereof, wherein said secondopening is on an opposite side of the cartridge storage device than thefirst opening, the at least one cartridge being movable along a path ofmovement between the first and second openings, wherein the openingsrespectively lie on lines tangent to the path of movement of the atleast one cartridge through the cartridge storage device and generallyparallel to a portion of the path of movement of the at least onecartridge through the cartridge storage device; and inserting said atleast one media cartridge into a tape drive of said data storage andretrieval system.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingretrieving information about the at least one media cartridge in thecartridge storage device using a method selected from a group consistingof: viewing the at least one media cartridge in the cartridge storagedevice, reading a nonvolatile memory of the at least one mediacartridge, and optically scanning the at least one media cartridge. 3.The method according to claim 1, further comprising simultaneouslyperforming the method of claim 1 using a second cartridge storagedevice, a second at least one media cartridge, and the same data storageand retrieval system.
 4. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising removing the cartridge storage device from the data storageand retrieval system and coupling the cartridge storage device to asecond data storage and retrieval system.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the cartridge storage device comprises a housing havinga front and a back; a plurality of cells in the housing, each celladapted for receiving a media cartridge; and a drive mechanism forselectively driving the cells towards the second opening of the housing,the second opening allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridgesfrom the cells.
 6. A data storage and retrieval system, comprising: aplurality of slots adapted for receiving system components; at least onedrive for reading data from a media cartridge; at least one cartridgestorage device capable of storing several of the cartridges, the atleast one cartridge storage device having a front side, a back andsidewalls extending between the front side and the back, the at leastone cartridge storage device being positioned in the slot front sidefirst, wherein each slot in which a cartridge storage device ispositioned has an opening for allowing access to the front of thecartridge storage device while inserted in the slot; and a picker forretrieving and inserting cartridges from the at least one cartridgestorage device and transporting the cartridges between the at least onedrive and the at least one media storage device, wherein at least one ofthe cartridge storage devices is not adjacent to any of the drives.